Vacuum cleaner switch mounting means

ABSTRACT

Structure for mounting an electrical control switch to a wall portion of an electrical appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner. The switch mounting structure utilizes portions carried by the wall means so as to effectively eliminate the need for separate fastening devices while yet securely removably mounts the switch to the electrical appliance wall for facilitated manipulation of the switch.

United States Patent Fish et al. Feb. 18, 1975 VACUUM CLEANER SWITCHMOUNTING 3,366,729 1/1968 Pauza 248/27 x 3,395,297 7/1968 Shifley v l248/27 X 3,409,858 11/1968 Krehbiel 403/329 X Inventors: Warren Fish,White Bear Lake; 3,639,745 2/1972 Shiki 242/27 x Arman Sundquist, SaintPaul, both of Primary Examiner-William H. Schultz [73] Assignee:Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Attorney, Agent, or g g n, 1 Harbor, Mich.Stellman & McCord [22] Filed: Jan. 16, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 433,915 [57]ABSTRACT Structure for mounting an electrical control switch to a wallportion of an electrical appliance, such as a vacg% %Zg i g3 uumcleaner. The switch mounting structure utilizes 2 portions carried bythe wall means so as to effectively 0 earc 3 eliminate the need forseparate fastening devices while yet securely removably mounts theswitch to the elec- References Cited trical appliance wall forfacilitated manipulation of the switch. UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 703 23/1955 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Meyer 248/27'X 1 VACUUM CLEANER SWITCHMOUNTING MEANS I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates to electrical appliances, and in particular tomeans for mounting an electrical control switch in an electricalappliance.

2. Description of the Prior Art In conventional electrical appliances,such as vacuum cleaners, the electrical apparatus, such as the fan motorof the vacuum cleaner, is selectively controlled by a suitable switch. Alarge number of different arrangements have been provided heretofore formounting such switches in such appliances.

In a number of forms of switch mounting means, fastening elements, suchas screws, rivets, spring clips, etc., have been utilized for securingthe switch in the appliance. Such fastening devices are relativelyexpensive, requiring separate securing steps inthe assembly procedure.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,215,380 of William J. Morris et al., a mountingapparatus is shown for mounting components of a radio receiver and thelike utilizing a resiliently movable strip having wedge-shaped retainingmeans to provide a snap-on action in securing the radio component to asupport member of the radio.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 7 The present invention comprehends an improvedmeans for mounting an electrical control switch to a wall portion of anelectrical appliance for selective manipulation of the switch.

The mounting means effectively eliminates the need for separatefastening elements in providing the switch mounting means on the wallportion, and in the illustrated embodiment, in providing the switchretaining means as integral portions of the wall element.

Thus, more specifically, the invention comprehends the provision of sucha switch mounting means including a catch carried on the wall defining aforwardly facing latching shoulder, resiliently deflectible pressermeans carried on the wall spaced from the catch for receiving the switchin a switch'receiving space therebetween and resiliently urging theswitch into retained connection with the catch,.and retainer meanscarried by the presser means for yieldably retaining the switch againstmovement outwardly from the space transversely to the direction ofspacing between the presser means and catch. The switch mounting meansfurther includes means carried by the wall for camming the switchagainst the retainer means as a result of move-- ment of the switch intothe space whereby the presser and retainer means further. yieldablyretain the switch against the cam means.

In the illustrated embodiment, one or more of the catch, presser means,and camming means may be formed integrally with the-wall portion of theappliance.

The wall may further define an opening through which may be extended acylindrical portion of the .switch defining the switch actuator means. Asealing means may be disposed about the cylindrical portion to extendbetween the switch and the wall about the opening for sealing the switchto the wall. In the illustrated embodiment, this sealing means comprisesa pad of foam material which further serves to bias the switch againstthe catch shoulder for further improved securing of the switch in themounting means.

The camming means is arranged to guide the cylindrical portion of theswitch through the wall opening in the mounting of the switch to theappliance wall.

The catch is disposed to retain the switch against movement as a resultof manipulation of the actuating element of the switch for furtherimproved sealed mounting of the switch in the appliance.

The switch mounting means of the present invention is extremely simpleand economical of construction while yet providing the highly desirablefeatures discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWING Other features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner provided with a switchmounting means embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevation illustrating themounting of the switch in a portion of the base of the vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view taken substantially along theline 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the installation of the switch in themounting means;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective-view similar to that of FIG. 3 butwith the switch in the installed position; and I FIG. 5 is a transversesection taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment ofthe invention as disclosed in the drawing, a control switch generallydesignated 10 is mounted in an electrical appliance 11 by means of a newand improved switch mounting means generally designated 12. In theillustrated embodiment, the electrical appliance comprises a vacuumcleaner with the switch l0'being arranged to control the operation ofthe suction fan thereof inthe conventional manner. While the inventionis illustrated in'conneetion with a vacuum cleaner, as will be obvioustothose skilled in the art, the switch mounting means may be utilized inconjunction with a wide range of different electrical devices within thescope of the invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, vacuum cleaner 11 includes a base 13defining a'wall portion 14. Mounting means 12 comprisesmeans formounting switch 10 to the wall portion 14 for facilitated manipulationthereof by a suitable foot pedal l5,'as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The switch mounting means 12, as shown in FIGS.-

3-5, includes a cooperating catch 16, presser l7, and camming means 18.Wall portion 14 further includes a front wall 19 provided with anopening 20 for extension therethrough of a cylindrical portion 21 ofswitch 10 provided with a manipulatable actuator 22 for selectivelyoperating the switch.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the catch 16, presser l7 andcamming means 18 is formed integrally with the wall 14, thus eliminatingthe need for separate fastening elements in the switchmountingstructure. As shown, the catch 16 comprises an L-section elementupstanding from a bottom wall portion 23 of wall 1.4 and defines aforwardly facing latching shoulder 24 adapted to engage a rear corner 25of the control switch in the installed arrangement of the switch asshown in FIG. 4.

Presser 17 comprises a finger upstanding from bottom wall 23 at an angletoward catch 16 and carries at its upper distal end a retainer flangemeans 26. Finger 17 is resiliently deflectible so as to variably spaceretainer flange 26 from catch 16 and permit insertion of the switch intothe-space 27 between finger 17 and catch 16 rearwardly of wall portion19. The resiliency of finger 17, as shown in FIG. 4, urges the switchcorner into retained association with catch 16 in the mountedarrangement of the switch with retainer flange 26 overlying the topsurface 28 of the switch to prevent movement of the switch outwardlyfrom the space 27, i.e., in a direction transversely to the direction ofthe spacing between finger l7 and catch 16.

Carnming means 18 includes a pair of camming ramps 29 and 30 spacedapart transversely of space 27 and upstanding from wall 23 intermediatefinger l7 and catch 16. The leading portion 31 of the camming ramps isinclined to guide the switch upwardly against the spring finger l7 andretainer flange 26 with the cylindrical portion 21 of the switch beingaligned with wall opening 20 to pass through the opening into theinstalled position of the switch as shown in FIG. 4.

In the installed disposition, presser finger 17 and retainer flange 26urge the switch 10 not only into retained association with catch 16, butalso into retained association on camming ramps 29 and' 30. Opening 20of front wall portion 19 may have a diameter preselected to retain thecylindrical portion 21 of the switch against substantial lateralmovement thereby further effectively positioning and retaining theswitch in the switch mounting space 27. As may be best seen withreference to FIG. 4, actuation of the switch by rearward manipulation ofthe actuator 22 tends to urge the In the illustrated embodiment, a seal32 may be provided at the front of the switch for sealing the switch tothe front wall 19 about opening 20. Illustratively, the seal 32 maycomprise a pad of foam material compressed between the switch and thefront wall 19 in the installed arrangement of FIG. 4 whereby the pad 32further biases the switch rearwardly to furthermaintain switch corner 25in abutment with shoulder 24.

As best seen in FIG. 5, wall portion 14 includes, in addition to frontwall 19 and bottom wall 23, a pair of side walls 33 and 34 outwardlydefining the mounting space 27 whereby the space is effectively closedon three sides as well as on the front.

As indicated above, by forming the elements of the mounting means 12 asintegral portions of the wall 14, an extremely simple and economicalswitch mounting means is obtained, eliminating the need for separatefasteners and the like while yet effectively positively securing theswitch in theelectrical appliance. As indicated above, the switch isinstalled simply by urging the switch forwardly over the camming means18 to pass actuator 22 and cylindrical portion 21 through front wallopening 20 until rear'corner 25 of the switch snaps past shoulder 24 ofcatch 16 and is urged into retained association therewith by thecooperative action of the spring presser finger l4, retainer flange 26,and foam pad 32.

To remove the switch 10 as for replacement or servicing when desired,the user need merely urge the switch against the biasing action of thepresser finger 17 to clear corner 25 from engagement with catch 16 andeffect rearward movement of the switch over the camming means 18 to thedisassembled arrangement of FIG. 3.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of thebroad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

Having described the invention, the embodiments of the invention inwhich an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined asfollows:

1. In an electrical appliance having a portion defining a wall, meansfor mounting an electrical control switch to said wall for selectivemanipulation of the switch, comprising:

a catch carried on said wall defining a forwardly facing latchingshoulder;

resiliently deflectible presser means carried on said wall spaced fromsaid catch for receiving said switch in a switch receiving spacetherebetween and resiliently urging the switch into retained associationwith said catch;

retainer means carried by said presser means for yieldably retaining theswitch against movement outwardly from said space transversely to thedirection of spacing between said presser means and catch; and

means carried by said wall for camming the switch against the retainermeans as a result of movement of said switch into said space wherebysaid presser and retainer means further yieldably retain said switchagainst said cam means.

2. The switch mounting means of claim 1 wherein said wall furtherdefines an opening and said switch includes a cylindrical portionprojecting through said opening when the switch is disposed in saidspace and cooperating with said retainer means for retaining the switchagainst said movement transversely outwardly- 4. The switchlmountingmeans of claim 1 wherein said catch is formed integral with said wall.

5. The switch mounting means of claim 1 wherein said camming means isformed integral with said wall.

6. The switch mounting means of claim 1 wherein said camming meanscomprises a pair of spaced ramps.

7. The switch mounting means of claim 1 wherein said catch comprises anL-section element engaging a corner of said switch.

8. In an electrical appliance having a portion defining a wall, meansfor mounting an electricalcontrol switch to said wall for selectivemanipulation of the switch,

comprising:

a catch carried on said wall defining a forwardly facing latchingshoulder;

resiliently deflectible presser means carried on said wall spaced fromsaid catch for receiving said switch in a switch receiving'spacetherebetween and resiliently urging the switch into retained connectionwith said catch;

retainer means carried by said presser means for yieldably retaining theswitch against movement outwardly from said space transversely to thedirection of spacing between said presser means and catch;

means carried by said wall for camming the switch against the retainermeans as a result of movement of said switch into said space wherebysaid presser and retainer means further yieldably retain said switchagainst said cam means;

means on said wall defining an opening, said switch including acylindrical portion projecting through said opening when the switch isdisposed in said space and cooperating with said retainer means forretaining the switch against said movement transversely outwardly fromsaid space.

9. The switch mounting means of claim 8 including sealing means formedof a resilient compressible material disposed about said cylindricalportion of the switch and abutting said wall about said opening forsealing the switch to said wall.

10. The switch mounting means of claim 9 wherein said resilient sealingmeans comprises a pad of foam material and further biases the switchagainst said catch 11. The switch mounting means of claim 8 wherein saidcylindrical portion includes an actuating element manipulatable towardsaid opening, said catch being disposed to retain said switch againstmovement as a result of manipulation of said actuating element.

12. The switch mounting means of claim 8 wherein said cammingmeansfurther define means for guiding said cylindrical portion of the switchthrough said opening during movement of said switch into said space.

13. The switch mounting means of claim 8 wherein said wall includesangularly related portions enclosing said space on at least three sides.

14. The switch mounting means of claim 8 wherein said catch, pressermeans, and camming means are formed integrally with said wall.

1. In an electrical appliance having a portion defining a wall, meansfor mounting an electrical control switch to said wall for selectivemanipulation of the switch, comprising: a catch carried on said walldefining a forwardly facing latching shoulder; resiliently deflectiblepresser means carried on said wall spaced from said catch for receivingsaid switch in a switch receiving space therebetween and resilientlyurging the switch into retained association with said catch; retainermeans carried by said presser means for yieldably retaining the switchagainst movement outwardly from said space transversely to the directionof spacing between said presser means and catch; and means carried bysaid wall for camming the switch against the retainer means as a resultof movement of said switch into said space whereby said presser andretainer means further yieldably retain said switch against said cammeans.
 2. The switch mounting means of claim 1 wherein said wall furtherdefines an opening and said switch includes a cylindrical portionprojecting through said opening when the switch is disposed in saidspace and cooperating with said retainer means for retaining the switchagainst said movement transversely outwardly from said space.
 3. Theswitch mounting means of claim 1 wherein said presser means comprises afinger integral with said wall.
 4. The switch mounting means of claim 1wherein said catch is formed integral with said wall.
 5. The switchmounting means of claim 1 wherein said camming means is formed integralwith said wall.
 6. The switch mounting means of claim 1 wherein saidcamming means comprises a pair of spaced ramps.
 7. The switch mountingmeans of claim 1 wherein said catch comprises an L-section elementengaging a corner of said switch.
 8. In an electrical appliance having aportion defining a wall, means for mounting an electrical control switchto said wall for selective manipulation of the switch, comprising: acatch carried on said wall defining a forwardly facing latchingshoulder; resiliently deflectible presser means carried on said wallspaced from said catch for receiving said switch in a switch receivingspace therebetween and resiliently urging the switch into retainedconnection with said catch; retainer means carried by said presser meansfor yieldably retaining the switch against movement outwardly from saidspace transversely to the direction of spacing between said pressermeans and catch; means carried by said wall for camming the switchagainst the retainer means as a result of movement of said switch intosaid space whereby said presser and retainer means further yieldablyretain said switch against said cam means; means on said wall definingan opening, said switch including a cylindrical portion projectingthrough said opening when the switch is disposed in said space andcooperating with said retainer means for retaining the switch againstsaid movement transversely outwardly from said space.
 9. The switchmounting means of claim 8 including sealing means formed of a resilientcompressible material disposed about said cylindrical portion of theswitch and abutting said wall about said opening for sealing the switchto said wall.
 10. The switch mounting means of claim 9 wherein saidresilient sealing means comprises a pad of foam material and furtherbiases the switch against said catch.
 11. The switch mounting means ofclaim 8 wherein said cylindrical portion includes an actuating elementmanipulatable toward said opening, said catch being disposed to retainsaid switch against movement as a result of manipulation of saidactuating element.
 12. The switch mounting means of claim 8 wherein saidcamming means further define means for guiding said cylindrical portionof the switch through said opening during movement of said switch intosaid space.
 13. The switch mounting means of claim 8 wherein said wallincludes angularly related portions enclosing said space on at leastthree sides.
 14. The switch mounting means of claim 8 wherein saidcatch, presser means, and camming means are formed integrally with saidwall.